Good News!

The TWRC's Wildlife Management Committee met yesterday. According to those who were there the presentations were impressive. As expected Melinda Welton covered the issues extremely well. Chris Sloan, Jan Shaw, Cyndi  Routledge, Vickie Henderson and others added very effective comments. When the vote was taken the Committee recommended that the hunting of Sandhill Cranes be put on hold for two years until more information could be gathered about the Sandhill Crane population.

The final decision was scheduled to be made this morning by the full Commission. It has been report that the full Commission voted to accept the recommendation of the Wildlife Committee's vote yesterday and postpone decision on the Proposed Sandhill Crane Hunt for 2 years.

Hallelujah!!!!!!!!

To all of you who sent in comments to TWRA and the commissioners, who gave presentations and/or showed up at the meetings yesterday and today – the Cranes thank you. Personally, I would like to thank Melinda Welton who got me involved. She did a tremendous amount of research on Sandhill Cranes and kept everybody informed in the birding community. She also met with TWRA commissioners both here and at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge during the Crane Days Festival. Her tireless work should not go unrecognized.

Thank you, Melinda.

Now, it is time for all of us to contact the TWRA and TWRC and thank them for their good judgment and good work on behalf of the Cranes and the management of all wildlife here in the state of Tennessee.